At home with the Toledos

Reading this led me to this, which is a spread on Ruben and Isabel Toledo's midtown home. Light-filled, packed bookcases, art and fasyon everywhere, and hula hoops!

Photos by David Allee.

The hula hoops are for exercising in your beautiful party frock. It reminded me that I've been wanting to try this. There are even more interior shots here.

I do love Isabel.

And Ruben is a post of his own.

Random Interiors

I recently threw out a collection of interiors magazines - some dating back to, well, a looong time ago ... when stacked heels were all the rage. Saying hello to the post-uggs age, I'm scanning some favorite images. Unfortunately, impatience with the scanning process has resulted in less than perfect, that is, tilted images. Some more favorites to come. Most bloggers take blog breaks. I'm the reverse, and disappear from here quite often. Maybe this will be what makes me a regular around these parts. On to my first Random Interiors post ...

Maybe it's the chill as the season turns (my favorite season, I love you autumn!!!). I love the warmth this room exudes (and the slight eccentric air about it).

MUJI fits in my apartment!!

So...I need this bed. Seriously. [I suffer from "small apartment" syndrome. My studio is "Tokyo-sized."]

Is it at the flagship Muji Store on 42nd Street? Sigh....

“Because there is complexity in purity. Elegance in plainness. Intricacy in streamlining. Richness in reduction. Depth in minimalism. Surprise in uniformity. Innovation in re-use. Cool in the avoidance of cool. And there is true sophistication in simplicity.”

Literally translated, Mujirushi Ryohin, MUJI’s original name, means “no brand quality goods.” I heard they put labels on everything the minute they hit the Big Apple!!

Thoughts, Candy?

Daniela Gregis FW08/09

Loving these looks for the upcoming cold season from Daniela Gregis (summer's Master of Linen). Although, I pass on that hat in the first photo. What is that?

Successful Chanel Advertising?

Is the above ad selling Chanel eyewear or the art of the Chanel tattoo? I spotted one commuter on this morning's 6 train who bought into the body modification message. Maybe Candelaria Cruz, Chi Chi, or Chloe Clamdigger? Or maybe a rabid olympic fan who went to a discount tat artist? Disturbed.

Playing with Paper: Mary Janes

So many deadlines - hats to block, dolls to sew, papers to shuffle and re-shuffle. It's during these times that I take a little break and pick-up something completely different. I've been thinking of taking a shoemaking class, but not before I complete my millinery courses. For now, I'll have to make do with making paper pairs. This book will show you how.

For other paper projects, how about one from Hermès? For your very own Kelly Purse, follow this post from the amazingly generous Summer Allen-Gibson of Design is Mine.

Shiseido Vintage Advertising

I came upon these beautiful vintage advertising images from Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido and just had to share...

More lovely examples here and here from flickr user tomish*'s.